An American slang phrase meaning to aim a gun or weapon at someone or something, drawn from firearms terminology where a 'bead' is the front sight of a gun. By extension it means to focus on, take aim at, or set one's sights on a target more broadly. Used in both literal and figurative contexts.
The sniper drew a bead on the target and waited for the signal to fire.
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(US, transitive, slang) To aim a gun at.
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(US, transitive, slang) To take aim at.
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(US, transitive, slang) to cast one's eyes on.
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